Is Dell Doing Android Netbooks?
by Sam Dean - May. 07, 2009Comments (4)- Related Blog Posts
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As the Register notes, there is some evidence emerging that Dell may be working on netbooks based on the Android operating system. The Wall Street Journal reports that software maker BSquare issued a press release "which said it’s coming up with a system to use certain Adobe Systems software on heretofore unannounced Dell netbooks running Google’s Android platform.” The Journal also reports that both Dell and BSquare have said the announcement shouldn't have been made, although neither company has denied that Android netbooks are in the works.
According to the Journal:
"Dell and BSquare now say the announcement of Dell’s allegedly forthcoming Android netbook shouldn’t have been made. Dell spokesman Andrew Bowins said the press release was published 'in error,' though he didn’t deny — or confirm — that the PC giant is working on such a device."
I won't be surprised if Dell is pursuing this route, and it would probably be good news for Android. The Journal has also reported on Dell's arch-rival, Hewlett-Packard, considering Android for netbooks, and Dell continues to ship notebooks running Linux.
We've also reported before on Android heading for netbooks and e-ink devices. ASUS is developing Android-based netbooks, and there already is a shipping Android netbook out in the wild. If Dell and HP--the two largest personal computer companies--both adopt Android for netbooks, that could give the operating system a substantial boost in a hot hardware category. We'll have to wait and see.
